Joao Cancelo had training ground BUST-UP with Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was involved in a training ground bust-up with Joao Cancelo ahead of Friday night’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal, it has been revealed.

The Portugal international defender is on the verge of joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a loan deal until the end of the ongoing season, with the German club also having an option to buy the player for a reported €70 million.

Cancelo arrived in Munich on Monday afternoon, with medical tests scheduled for later in the evening and a deal expected to be completed on the same day, as Bayern look to have the current City defender available for their next game on Wednesday night.

However, while the circumstances as to why Joao Cancelo was given the green light to leave Manchester City were initially unknown, staggering details into the days leading up to his exit have now surfaced.

As per the information of Mike Keegan and Jack Gaughan, Joao Cancelo’s imminent exit from the Etihad Stadium follows a ‘training ground bust-up’ with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

The full-back, according to an update on an earlier report into the situation, is said to have ‘reacted angrily’ after he learned that he would not be in the Manchester City starting XI to face Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

Joao Cancelo had seen his game time significantly reduced after returning to Manchester City following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Nathan Ake largely operating in the left-back position, and Rico Lewis’ emergence at right-back earning him strong amounts of game time across competitions in recent weeks.

The official line from sources within Manchester City is that the club are satisfied with the options they have at their disposal in defence for the remainder of the season, despite Cancelo’s exit from the football club.

However, there is a feeling in some quarters that should the right opportunity arise between now and the end of the ongoing January transfer window, then City would be open to a replacement coming into Pep Guardiola’s side.